CPP 2.5" drop spindle lower balljoint problem

[JVictor75]

Exactly what lower balljoint am I supposed to run with CPP spindle CP4S4L? I've now stripped 2 (count 'em TWO) castle nuts on the lower balljoints trying to get them to seat.

I'm no He-Man, and I'm not using anything air or electrical powered to try to get these things to seat properly, just plain old heaving on it with about a 18" Craftsman breaker bar.

Yes, I know I can call the techline. I tried calling, they're out for the weekend and today and tomorrow are the only times in the near future I'm going to be able to get this frame into a rolling chassis.

Any help would be appreciated.

[CC69Rat]

Any pictures? Did you replace your lower ball joints .. ? Not understanding completely.

[69SCSS]

Looks like that's for 73-87, they have different ball joints. Looks like the spindle you should have is the CP4S2 for 63-70 of you're using the earlier balljoints, or the CP4S3 for 71-72 ball joints. I couldn't find the CP4S4L, just the CP4S4, so I'm not 100% sure but you'd have to use the later balljoints from what I can tell.

[JVictor75]

Originally Posted by 69SCSS

Looks like that's for 73-87, they have different ball joints. Looks like the spindle you should have is the CP4S2 for 63-70 of you're using the earlier balljoints, or the CP4S3 for 71-72 ball joints. I couldn't find the CP4S4L, just the CP4S4, so I'm not 100% sure but you'd have to use the later balljoints from what I can tell.

Ah, ok. I suppose I should explain myself better.

I'm installing a complete F/R power disc brake conversion and grand slam kit (3.5 / 5 Front 3.5 using a combo of a 1" lowering spring and a 2.5" drop spindle) from CPP. All U/L ball joints, shocks, springs, control arm bushings, spindles, rotors, and calipers were provided with the kit, ostensibly as a 'set'.

When attempting to install the spindles (that say 'CP4S4L' on the back side), the lower balljoint seems to get stopped short by about 1/4" - 1/8" from seating correctly. When attempting to get everything seated correctly, the castle nut(s) get stripped out at about 1/8" - 1/16". I've done this twice now (just to verify, I guess - although besides verifying the issue it's also made me "unhappy and impolite". )

I'm using the stock stamped steel Upper and Lower Control Arms. The frame and all the stamped metal pieces (and rear diff housing) is a 67-72 SWB frame I picked up off of C/L here in the Phoenix metro area.

[69SCSS]

if it's a kit, I'd say someone accidently swapped in the wrong ball joint. Check the part # of the ball joint (probably right on the side of the box) with the part # of the top ball joint, and see if they're from the same year range. if not, then that's the issue. I'm guessing it's from a later one.

But hell it's saturday and i'm at work still, so what the hell do I know?

[JVictor75]

Originally Posted by 69SCSS

Looks like that's for 73-87, they have different ball joints. Looks like the spindle you should have is the CP4S2 for 63-70 of you're using the earlier balljoints, or the CP4S3 for 71-72 ball joints. I couldn't find the CP4S4L, just the CP4S4, so I'm not 100% sure but you'd have to use the later balljoints from what I can tell.

Originally Posted by 69SCSS

if it's a kit, I'd say someone accidently swapped in the wrong ball joint. Check the part # of the ball joint (probably right on the side of the box) with the part # of the top ball joint, and see if they're from the same year range. if not, then that's the issue. I'm guessing it's from a later one.

But hell it's saturday and i'm at work still, so what the hell do I know?

LOL, well you nailed it (kinda) so I guess you being bored at work on a Saturday evening helped me out at least. So there's that. If this was Reddit I'd give you karma points, but since we're here all I can say is thanks.

Moog upper and lower balljoints for a 1973 C10 with a 454 (P/N K6136 for upper and K6117T for lower) work perfectly, albeit $200 later.

So it wasn't the balljoint that was the issue, it was the spindle itself. I ordered a set of drop spindles for a 67-72 c10 and got a set for a 73-87......

Oh well. With Moog balljoints in it, the truck probably won't need another set until I'm buried. Lord knows, the '68 had the originals in it when I tore the frame down two months ago and they were still good.

[69SCSS]

Yep. it had to be one or the other! Glad you found it. I'll have to make sure and double check my spindles when I get them to make sure I don't have the same issue, I'm sticking with the 63-70 drop spindles.

From what I remember the 73-87 spindles bring the track width out farther than the 71-72's. I might be wrong about that though.

Glad I could help either way!

[swanga c10]

Originally Posted by JVictor75

LOL, well you nailed it (kinda) so I guess you being bored at work on a Saturday evening helped me out at least. So there's that. If this was Reddit I'd give you karma points, but since we're here all I can say is thanks.

Moog upper and lower balljoints for a 1973 C10 with a 454 (P/N K6136 for upper and K6117T for lower) work perfectly, albeit $200 later.

So it wasn't the balljoint that was the issue, it was the spindle itself. I ordered a set of drop spindles for a 67-72 c10 and got a set for a 73-87......

Oh well. With Moog balljoints in it, the truck probably won't need another set until I'm buried. Lord knows, the '68 had the originals in it when I tore the frame down two months ago and they were still good.

Did these ball joint end up fixing the problem?

i am having the same problem with my 1970 C10, i have the same spindle but it looks like i already have the right ball joints so im unsure what to do?

[CC69Rat]

I agree, it sounds like you have the wrong year stuff.

Do you know what year the frame is? 63-70 and 71-72 balljoints are different. (as stated above) Was it originally 5 or 6 lug?

[swanga c10]

They sent 67-70 lower ball joints, but to not waste anytime I just ordered the Moog ball joints using the part number you provided and it worked out fine.
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